Published: November 17, 2009 11:29 am      

Amendment to fire protection agreement with city is approved

Monticello — An amendment to the county's fire protection agreement with the city was approved during a meeting of Wayne County Fiscal Court on Thursday, November 12.

The amendment included the Parnell Fire Department, which is basically the last step for the rural fire department to become officially recognized by the Kentucky Fire Commission.

That means that volunteers in Parnell can be assigned numbers and credited with their training hours. And it also means that the department can begin to seek funding for a building and equipment.

Wayne County Judge-Executive Greg Rankin noted that at this point the Monticello Fire Department will continue to provide fire protection for the Parnell area. The change will become effective after the department has been established, equipped and fully trained.

Also during last week's meeting, magistrates learned more about the Kentucky Prescription Assistance Program (KPAP), which is being implemented across the state. The program is designed to assist uninsured or underinsured residents in obtaining free or reduced price prescription drugs.

Deanna Jessie, with the Department for Public Health, noted that the local Community Action Agency is serving as an application point for Wayne County. She advised anyone who is having difficulty paying for medications to contact the office, located in the Senior Citizens Center, for more information.

The court also heard a request for a $20,000 donation from the Monticello-Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, which would help the organization achieve several goals next year.

Paul Dunnington, with the Chamber of Commerce, presented magistrates with a "wish list" budget that includes signage for the local office, as well as a billboard on Bypass 90. The Chamber would like to revamp their website and update office equipment. They would also like to advertise Monticello and Wayne County through television commercial and would like to take information to travel and trade shows.

The Chamber has also requested $20,000 donation from the City Council.

The city has scheduled a work session for Monday, November 23 at 5 p.m. to discuss specific projects that they could provide funding for next year.

Dunnington noted that the magistrates may want to be involved in the meeting as well.

In other action, the court:

€ Approved the November pay increase for county employees.

€ Aprpoved the clerk's salary allotment and budget.

€ Awarded bids for several surplus trucks at the county garage.

€ Agreed to advertise Fair Oaks Drive for adoption into the county road system.

€ Heard a monthly report from Jailer Ray Upchurch who noted that total population at the Detention Center is 164, which includes 70 county inmates and 94 state inmates. The county received $84,267.60 for housing inmates in the month of September.

€ Heard a monthly report from Solid Waste Coordinator Tim Bell, who noted that white goods were collected at 82 households last month, bringing the total to 1,034 this year. Bell noted that the county's recycling center has moved into its new location on Creekview Drive.

€ Heard a monthly report from Wayne County EMS Director Bubby Corder, who noted that the ambulance service has answered 2,699 calls so far this year. The new ambulance has pass inspection and is now operational.